And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. (Mark 5:18 )
Jesus, thank you for baptizing us with your Holy Spirit so that we can be with you all the time.

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mark 5:19)
Holy Spirit, please help us tell our friends and family all the mighty deeds you have done for us, and how you have had compassion on us.

And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5:20)
Father, thank you for bringing us into your kingdom and light. Help all of us find the freedom to share all that Jesus has done for us in our communities as this man did. Thank you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:26 & 28 )

***** Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: The Christian Handshake
Dear friends,
I just wanted to pass this on to you for you never know when a life can be changed by an action. I do not want to come across as boasting in anyway but this story brought tears to my eyes and still is as I write this. Please know that if I am boasting I am boasting in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1-5. I am so moved especially as the child has a history of lung problems. You know, every now and again the grief and the joy of ministry catches up with you… this story gripped me. Thank you to Fr. John Hopkins for teaching me the sacred handshake
Much love you you all.
Please read on:

Nigel: We are certainly thinking of you and lifting you and CTK Healing Center up in our prayers today – a glorious day indeed. I also thought of you and the Handshake you taught us many moons ago. In my round as a Chaplain at A.I.duPont Hospital for Children yesterday, I came upon a 12 year old boy and his mom. The boy had a history of lung problems and had just undergone major surgery on his legs. We was wearing special boots to keep his feet in place and was ready to be discharged.

There was an immediate connection made with his mother and me but not with the boy and me. But when the mother told me he was interested in sign language, I asked him if he knew what the sign for “I love you” was. He did not so I showed him. He didn’t seem overly touched by this so I asked if he knew the Christian Handshake? He said he did not so I demonstrated the one you taught me. He lit up like a Christmas tree on the 4th of July. We had to repeat it for him. His mom promised he would practice it for the next time I saw him. I am sure he will be a ‘pro’ by then.

I just wanted you to know the impact of your ministry.

May God Be Praised,
Your Brother in Christ, Jim

***** Another meditation on John 4:1-45 by Deacon Howard Smith at Christ Church Schenectady following Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 5, 2010.

Thirsty At The Well – What Do You Seek?
John 4:1-45
Meditation 3
March 5, 2010

In the voice and the person of the disciples.

I thirst.
I’m thirsty.
One wouldn’t think running around this small town buying supplies would make one so thirsty.
I can’t wait to get back to Jacob’s well and have a good long drink and some lunch.

John, what are you doing?
No. We are not window shopping.
Let’s get going. All we have left to do is to buy some bread and be on our way.
Remember our mission, buy food and supplies and get back to the well.
I don’t want to spend any more time in this town than I have to. These people are not our people and I am not comfortable with them and their ways.

Oh, there’s the bakery, great.
Now we have bread. Let’s get back to the well and Jesus.

It feels good to leave this town. It will be nice to leave these parts too, before we get mugged or something worse.

Hey look! There is someone at the well talking with Jesus. It looks like a woman. Why is she at the well in the heat of the day? This can’t be good.

Why is Jesus talking with a woman he doesn’t know? And not just any woman, but the likes of her.

Doesn’t he realize how bad this looks? What would people think about him if they saw him talking to her? What would people say about us?
We are supposed to be righteous men, walking in the way of our God.

Maybe it is a test for us? Good thinking Peter.
Now, if it is a test, then how shall we act when we reach the well?

Our Rabbi is talking with her, we should talk with her too. Perhaps we should even invite her to have lunch with us.

You are going too far. We should greet her politely and then politely ignore her and go about our business.

Since she is there should one of us at least enter into some small talk, you know, the weather and so on?

No, no! You are all wrong. If we are Holy men following a Holy Rabbi we should act accordingly. We don’t talk to women we don’t know, especially one like her. After all, Jesus wants us to be holy, right? If he is testing us, then the right action is to show holy indifference. We shall ignore both the woman and the conversation that Jesus is having with her. Then we will pass the test. Now, are we all in agreement? Good, I’m glad we have all come to our senses.

We have made it to the well.
Now let’s prepare our lunch, over here to give Jesus some space.

Look, the woman is hurrying off, and she left her water jar behind. We aren’t actually going to drink from that are we? Perhaps we should have bought our own when we where in town.

What is Jesus doing now? It looks like he is praying. Oh, not now. He could be at it all day. And I don’t want to stay here two more minutes than I have to.

We need to remember our mission. We are cutting through Samaria to get to Galilee. We shouldn’t linger.
Let’s eat.